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November 17, 2009

9 arrested in Longview meth bust

By Patrick McCreless The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Cullman County narcotics agents arrested nine individuals in the Longview community who were allegedly found sitting around an active meth lab Friday.

According to Cullman County Sheriff’s reports, deputies charged Steven Burks, 33, Anthony Wayne Barbee, 40, Jessica Amanda Farr, 21, Jason Ray James, 33, Jessica Lynn McBrayer, 28, Sarah Leanne Presnell, 25, Timothy Shawn Riggs, 42, Michael Anthony Thornton, 33, and Peggy Mae Thornton, 22, all with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in the first degree.

“We felt they were all involved in putting together this lab and we felt they all should be arrested,” said Sheriff Tyler Roden.

Roden said deputies found the people and the alleged lab while serving an arrest warrant on Burks at his residence on County Road 1194.

“He was an individual we had information on ... that he was possibly involved in meth-making,” Roden said.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they heard several individuals talking from a nearby outbuilding, Roden said.

“They walked around to the front of the building ... the door was open and when they looked inside, there were eight people inside with Burks,” Roden said.

While arresting Burks on the warrant, deputies discovered a working meth lab nearby.

“It was still releasing gases and vapors,” Roden said.

The deputies then contacted the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) and escorted everyone out of the outbuilding.

“They all had to be decontaminated by the HAZMAT team,” Roden said. “And a cleanup crew had to come by and clean up the lab.”

Roden said he appreciated the work of all the deputies involved in the case.

“This was a good example of the fight we have on our hands and what we’re doing about it and the risk officers take,” Roden said.

All nine suspects are incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center, each with a $1 million bond.

Unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in the first degree is a Class A felony, punishable by up to life in prison.



* Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131.

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